Interpretive Handbook

Test
9003 :
Alpha-Subunit Pituitary Tumor Marker, Serum

The 3 human pituitary glycoprotein hormones: luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), thyrotropin (TSH), and the placenta-derived chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), are closely related tropic hormones. They signal through G-protein-coupled receptors, regulating the hormonal activity of their respective endocrine target tissues. Each is composed of an alpha- and a beta-subunit, coupled by strong noncovalent bonds.The alpha-subunits of all 4 hormones are essentially identical (92 amino acids; molecular weight [MW] of the "naked" protein:10,205 Da), being transcribed from the same gene and showing only variability in glycosylation (MW of the glycosylated proteins:13,000-18,000 Da). The alpha-subunits are essential for receptor transactivation. By contrast, all the different beta-subunits are transcribed from separate genes, show less homology, and convey the receptor specificity of the dimeric hormones.

Under physiological conditions, alpha- and beta-chain synthesis and secretions are tightly coupled, and only small amounts of monomeric subunits are secreted. However, under certain conditions, coordinated production of intact glycoprotein hormones may be disturbed and disproportionate quantities of free alpha-subunits are secreted. In particular, some pituitary adenomas may overproduce alpha-subunits. Although most commonly associated with gonadotroph- or thyrotroph-derived tumors, alpha-subunit secretion has also been observed in corticotroph, lactotroph, and somatotroph pituitary adenomas. Overall, depending on cell type and tumor size, between 5% to 30% of pituitary adenomas will produce sufficient free alpha-subunits to result in elevated serum levels, which usually fall with successful treatment. Stimulation testing with hypothalamic releasing factors (eg, gonadotropin releasing hormone [GnRH] or thyrotropin-releasing hormone [TRH]) may result in further elevations, disproportionate to those seen in individuals without tumors.

Measurement of free alpha-subunit after GnRH-stimulation testing can also be useful in the differential diagnosis of constitutional delay of puberty (CDP) versus hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (HH). CDP is a benign, often familial, condition in which puberty onset is significantly delayed, but eventually occurs, and then proceeds normally. By contrast, HH represents a disease state characterized by lack of gonadotropin production. Its causes are varied, including hypothalamic and pituitary inflammatory or neoplastic disorders, a range of specific genetic abnormalities, as well as unknown causes. In children, HH results in complete failure to enter puberty without medical intervention. In children with CDP, in normal pubertal children, in normal adults and, to a lesser degree, in normal prepubertal children, GnRH administration results in increased serum LH, FSH, and alpha-subunit levels. This response is greatly attenuated in patients with HH, particularly with regard to the post-GnRH rise in alpha-subunit concentrations.

In the case of pituitary adenomas that do not produce significant amounts of intact tropic hormones, diagnostic differentiation between sellar- and tumors of nonpituitary origin (eg, meningiomas or craniopharyngiomas) can be difficult. In addition, if such nonsecreting adenomas are very small, then they can be difficult to distinguish from physiological pituitary enlargements.

In a proportion of these cases, free alpha-subunit may be elevated, aiding in diagnosis. Overall, 5% to 30% of pituitary adenomas produce measurable elevation in serum free alpha-subunit concentrations. There is also evidence that an exuberant free alpha-subunit response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) administration may occur in some pituitary adenoma patients that do not have elevated baseline free alpha-subunit levels. A more than 2-fold increase in free alpha-subunit serum concentrations at 30 to 60 minutes following intravenous administration of 500 mcg of TRH is generally considered abnormal, but some investigators consider any increase of serum free alpha-subunit that exceeds the reference range as abnormal. TRH testing is not performed in the laboratory, but in specialized clinical testing units under the supervision of a physician.

Small thyrotropin (TSH)-secreting pituitary tumors are difficult to distinguish from thyroid hormone resistance. Both types of patients may appear clinically euthyroid or mildly hyperthyroid and may have mild-to-modest elevations in peripheral thyroid hormone levels along with inappropriately (for the thyroid hormone level) detectable TSH, or mildly-to-modestly elevated TSH. Elevated serum free alpha-subunit levels in such patients suggest a TSH secreting tumor, but mutation screening of the thyroid hormone receptor gene may be necessary for a definitive diagnosis.

Constitutional delay of puberty (CDP), is a benign, often familial condition, in which puberty onset is significantly delayed, but eventually occurs and then proceeds normally. By contrast, hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (HH) represents a disease state characterized by lack of gonadotropin production. Its causes are varied, ranging from idiopathic over specific genetic abnormalities to hypothalamic and pituitary inflammatory or neoplastic disorders. In children, it results in complete failure to enter puberty without medical intervention. CDP and HH can be extremely difficult to distinguish from each other. Intravenous administration of 100 mcg gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) results in much more substantial rise in free alpha-subunit levels in CDP patients, compared with HH patients. A >6-fold rise at 30 or 60 minutes post-injection is seen in >75% of CDP patients, while a less than 2-fold rise appears diagnostic of HH. Increments between 2-fold and 6-fold are non diagnostic.

GnRH testing is not performed in the laboratory, but in specialized clinical testing units under the supervision of a physician.

False-positive elevations in serum free alpha-subunit levels may be seen in some women if blood specimens are drawn within 24 hours of ovulation.

Patients with end-stage renal failure may have serum free alpha-subunit concentrations of up to 6-times the upper limit of reference range.

Elevated alpha-subunit results on patients with elevated thyrotropin (TSH) should be interpreted with caution due to TSH cross-reactivity with the assay.

Assisted reproduction involving ovarian hyperstimulation or in vitro fertilization may be associated with the elevation in serum free alpha-subunit levels.

Pregnancy is associated with very substantial, physiological elevations in serum free alpha-subunit levels, paralleling chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) secretion. This test should not be ordered on pregnant patients.

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) testing are not performed in the laboratory, but in specialized clinical testing units under the supervision of a physician.

*Puberty onset (transition from Tanner stage I to Tanner stage II) occurs for boys at a median age of 11.5 (+/-2) years and for girls at a median age of 10.5 (+/-2) years. There is evidence that it may occur up to 1 year earlier in obese girls and in African American girls. For boys, there is no proven relationship between puberty onset and body weight or ethnic origin. Progression through Tanner stages is variable. Tanner stage V (adult) should be reached by age 18.